Bands usually pay tribute to other bands but on Feb. 24, two bands are hosting a tribute concert for a late fan.
We Hunt Buffalo and The Wild North are holding an 8 p.m. concert in the Fort Langley Community Hall in tribute to Rob Wallis.
“Rob was a loved part of the Fort Langley and Walnut Grove community and had a big passion for music and attended the early yeras of We Hunt Buffalo’s and Elliot’s shows at the Fort hall,” the event Facebook page said.
(Elliot C. Way is with The Wild North.)
Rob Wallis died Jan. 7 of this year. The tribute is being held just one day before he would have turned 33.
Tickets are $10 at the door and the event is 19-plus.
Hunting at the Fort
Fort Langley National Historic Site and Metro Vancouver Geocaching are hosting a treasure hunt of sorts this weekend.
It’s a free geochaching event happening outside the Fort on Saturday, Feb. 25, between 10 a.m. and noon.
The historic site has a program in place with three caches hidden outside the perimeter of the Fort. Those who complete the series will receive a replica of the wooden tokens used for money at the Fort during the 1830s.
More details on the Metro Vancouver Geocachers from West Vancouver to Langley can be found on their website at mvgeocaching.com.
Art matters
A legendary pianist will be performing in Langley next week.
Mike Garson, David Bowie’s legendary piano man, will be part of the Arts Matter Series happening next Thursday, March 2. He’s performing at 7 p.m. at the Chief Sepass Theatre (part of the Langley Fine Arts School).
Garson is a pianist and composer best known for his relationship with Bowie, but he’s also worked with the likes of Sting, Alicia Keys, Adam Lambert, and Smashing Pumpkins – to name a few.
Next week, he will be collaborating – if you will – with students from the LFAS orchestra, performing music from Garson’s Symphonic Suite for Healing (written in 2014 by Garson and patients suffering from various disorders and ailments).
It’s a way to kick off Music Therapy Awareness Month in Canada, the visiting artist said.
Tickets for his show are available at www.mikegarsonartsmatter.brownpapertickets.com.
KPU hosts guitar fest
Also on the music front, Kwantlen Polytechnic University is once again hosting the Fraser Valley Acoustic Guitar Festival this week, culminating in a public concert on Saturday night.
This year’s 20th annual festival, From the Gut 2017, features a high school event on Friday, a session for university and college students during the day on Saturday, then the public concert Saturday night, Feb. 25, starting at 7:30 p.m.
The concert will feature Guitar Foundation of America international classical guitar winner and national fingerstyle guitar champion Michael Chapdelaine, as well as Itamar Erez and Kris Schulz.
Tickets and info: kpu.ca/guitar.
Trio of choirs unite
Langley’s Trinity Western University is showcasing three celebrated chamber choirs in one evening of music this Friday.
The event, called Season of Life + Landscape will present music ranging from the works of Brahms to local composers Jocelyn Morlock, Jon Washburn, Larry Nickel, and TWU’s own Dr. David Squires.
The evening will also feature “majestic storytelling” through a cappella music, and a culmination of the year’s collaboration between TWU and the Juno-nominated Vancouver Chamber Choir and Canadian Chamber Choir.
The concert runs Friday, Feb. 24, starting at 7:30 at the Fleetwood Christian Reformed Church in Surrey.
Tickets and information from twu.ca/samc or by calling 604-513-2173.
Duo perform Sunday
Langley Community Music School (LCMS) is presenting its fourth Concerts Cafe Classico event of the year – complete with its popular coffee and commentary.
The concert will showcase an internationally acclaimed violin-piano duo.
World-renowned violinist David Gillham and pianist Chiharu Iinuma are set to perform at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26.
“We are honoured to welcome these two distinguished musicians to our concert hall,” said LCMS artistic director Elizabeth Bergmann. “The Gillham-Iinuma Duo is wonderful and sensitive performers, and the audience is in for a real treat.”
Tickets are available at the school box office, 4899 207th St., by phone at 604-534-2848, or by visiting langleymusic.com.
Celeb helps babies
On the country music front, Langley’s own Dallas Smith is helping Fill The Rink for the JRfm Basics for Babies on Wednesday, March 1 – during the Vancouver Giants game against Portland.
The country music star will be attending for the ceremonial puck drop, before hosting a meet-and-greet with fans (with a minimum $10 donation to the charity) during the first intermission.
Blending the arts
Each month, Fort Gallery in Fort Langley hosts an event called First Thursday, where they spotlight local artists, musicians, and writers.
The March event, set to run 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 2, will feature musician Kempton Dexter.
He’s a bit of an artistic jack of all trades, said gallery manager Margaret Campbell.
“He draws, paints, and sculpts. He writes stories, plays, songs, and music. He’s been the band leader of a number of dance bands, often using the stage name, Hi-Rise Dex,” Campbell explained.
“These days he prefers to perform solo, concentrating on his original material,” with a new CD, Springtime in Vancouver, set for release in March.
His work will be featured alongside that of painter Kristin Krimmel, who will talk about her work on the current exhibit called Flora, which remains on display at the gallery through March 12.
For more information, people can visit fortgallery.ca.
And speaking of art displays, Langley artist Robin Bandenieks work is on display this month in what the City dubs the Walkway Gallery at Timms Community Centre, 20399 Douglas Cres. until March 1.
The exhibit includes a number of her India-themed paintings.
Critique days shift
Langley Arts Council is resuming its Free Art Critiques, led by professional artist and instructor Lalita Hammill.
The dates, however, have recently changed. They’re now offered the last Tuesday of every month, from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m.
“If you are a visual artist and would benefit from educated feedback on your work, or from an opportunity to learn how to speak about art, be sure to join us each month,” said Hamill.
The next session is being held Tuesday, Feb. 28 in the Ardron room of the City of Langley Library.
Oscar night
The Royal Canadian Theatre Company, created by Langley’s Ellie King (the artistic director) and family, is hosting its second annual Oscar Night Gala this weekend.
The event, being held at the Sheraton Hotel in Guildford, begins at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.
“The glam event is back to raise more funds for the RCTC’s youth mentorship programs,” said King.
For 10 years, the theatre company has been producing plays, musicals, and “most famously” pantomimes.
This weekend’s red carpet and black tie affair features a champaign reception for any arts patrons 12 years or older, said King.
Ticket info: 604-629-8744.
